Best Wired Gaming Headsets For Steam Deck

Let’s be honest, the best headsets for the Steam Deck might be wired ones if you care about getting the most battery life out of your Deck possible during your gaming sessions. They won’t drain the battery like wireless headsets do. So you’ll only have to focus on other battery-draining factors. Like volume levels, frame rates, screen brightness, and more.

There are tons of wired headsets out there though, so which of those are best for the Steam Deck? We’ve set out to find the best options and are considering factors like portability, sound quality, features, and price. With that in mind, check out the list below if you’re thinking about grabbing a wired headset for your own Steam Deck. You might be pleasantly surprised with what’s out there.

We know wired headsets aren’t as convenient, but they’ll help extend your playtime. And that’s the most important thing to keep in mind. Also worth mentioning is that some wireless headsets come with 3.5mm or USB-C audio cables and can be used in a wired mode. Additionally, some wired headsets actually have incredible sound quality, and you typically don’t have to deal with audio latency.

Another thing to keep in mind is that with a wired headset, you aren’t going to have to worry about accidentally losing a wireless dongle. Even if the headset cable is detachable, it’s still much larger than a dongle, and that will make it easier to keep track of.

Best Overall Gaming Headset: HyperX Cloud Alpha

The Steam Deck can have less than desirable battery life if you’re playing a demanding game. So if you’re without a charger to plug it in, the last thing you want is to drain that battery faster with a wireless gaming headset. In this case, a wired gaming headset can save you from worrying about whether or not you have enough battery life in the Deck to continue playing.

And if you’re looking for a wired gaming headset, then look no further than the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It’s a great all-around gaming headset with decent quality sound, and a good microphone if you want to use voice chat, and it’s pretty darn comfortable too. So it’s our choice for the best overall wired gaming headset for the Steam Deck. Then, there’s the price. Normally this would cost $99.99, but Amazon currently has it on sale for $69.99. That’s not a bad price at all if you’re looking to save a little money.

Plus, because it’s wired, you don’t have to worry about charging the headset either. In addition to the good quality sound, it’s durable too. The metal construction of the headband means you can toss this in your bag without worrying something is going to snap in there. Something which can’t be as easily said for headsets that have plastic headbands. While there’s nothing wrong with plastic, as it makes things more lightweight, it’s not as durable. And if you’re concerned about durability, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the way to go.

You can also use this headset with other platforms. Most people have more than a Steam Deck to play games on. They might not want more than one gaming headset though. With the HyperX Cloud Alpha, you can plug the headset into the Steam Deck, and also plug it into your PS5 and Xbox Series X|S controllers, your PC, and even your Nintendo Switch.

It’s also really nice that the mic is detachable because you may not always want or need to use a mic. In those situations, you won’t have to deal with the mic being close to your mouth when it’s not needed. That leaves more room for you to eat snacks and take a sip of water or whatever else you’re drinking. All without having to move a mic out of the way first.

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Best Premium Gaming Headset: Audeze Maxwell

When it comes to gaming headsets I’ve come to appreciate the finer points of what makes a gaming headset “good.” It’s not just about sound and comfort, but all the little details that really makeup what could be considered the most important part of your gaming arsenal when it comes to accessories. Sound plays a very important role in gaming in many different ways, from immersion to tactical potential.

The Audeze Maxwell outshines all other gaming headsets on the market in just about every way. When I reviewed the headset earlier this year I was skeptical at first. I’ve played with several different gaming headsets over the years and I had my favorites. They’re still my favorites, but what I considered to be the best has changed over time. That is to say, I didn’t think the Maxwell was going to be able to live up to what I thought was the best option out there the last two years. I was pleasantly surprised.

I will say that initially, I did find Audeze’s Maxwell headset to be a tad heavy and more taxing on my neck due to its weight. But similar to how it took time for my back to adjust to Herman Miller’s Embody gaming chair, it took time for me to get used to the Maxwell’s weight and fit. Now, I think it’s the most comfortable gaming headset I’ve ever worn, despite its heavy build. The ear cups and ear pads hug my ears in a pillowy embrace that almost gives me a sense of calm.

It’s a strange feeling because you wouldn’t think that this is something a headset could do for you. And yet, that’s how I feel when I put it on my head. This tight hug also helps to isolate me from outside sounds rather nicely. Though it isn’t necessarily needed, since the Maxwell also features active noise cancellation.

It also has a battery life of up to 80 hours should you decide to use it wirelessly at any point. What’s really nice is that you can plug it in with an AUX cable and it’ll sound even better than when it’s wireless. Where it really shines though is with the sound and mic audio. My voice has never been so clear to my friends when chatting in Discord while we play than when I’m using the Maxwell. You probably aren’t going to be doing much Discord chatting on the Steam Deck. However, some games do have in-game voice chat. And you’ll love this mic for those games

And when it comes to the sound quality, the Maxwell is unmatched. The planar magnetic drivers make it possible to hear sounds I never heard before in games I have been playing for years.

But what really gets me is how real and transcendent it makes the audio in my games. Background music comes to life. Sound effects are fuller and slightly louder without getting muddied or distorted. Additionally, it’s multiplatform and can be connected to PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile, and more. In short, this is an excellent gaming headset, and I truly believe there isn’t anything better, for now at least. All of that does, of course, come at a cost, as the Maxwell runs about $300 (currently $289.99). It’s worth it, though.

Now you might be thinking, why in the world would you spend that kind of money on a gaming headset for the Steam Deck? The answer is simple. Because it sounds the best. Just because you’re playing games on a Steam Deck doesn’t mean you need to forfeit great-quality audio for those games. If you’re shopping in the premium price range, this is what you want to go with.

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Best Gaming Earbuds: HyperX Cloud Earbuds II

While the Arctis GameBuds are an amazing choice for Steam Deck game audio, their higher price tag means they’ll be out of the budget of some Steam Deck owners. They also may be in the budget of some others who simply don’t want to pay a lot for a Steam Deck headset option or just don’t like wireless headsets but love earbuds.

Worry not, because the HyperX Cloud Earbuds II are an excellent earbud option for those who prefer wired gaming audio. The cherry on top is that these earbuds only cost about $39.99 normally, and right now they’re even on sale through Amazon for $34.99. That’s an incredible price and a great way to save money, so you can spend more of that on other stuff. Like say, more games for your Steam Deck, a larger microSD card, or even both!

The HyperX Cloud Earbuds II are an improvement over the original model, which we also had on this list before. What I really like about these other than the low price, is that they come with a hard shell carrying case. This allows you to store the earbuds away while keeping them protected. This way they don’t get damaged if you stuff them into your bag or pocket. The case is about the size of a charging case for wireless earbuds too. So it’s totally pocketable.

The other really nice feature of these is that they come with four different ear tip sizes. The ones that come on the Cloud Earbuds II might be the perfect fit for you. If not, all you need to do is try on the other sizes to see what fits best. Chances are, one of them will fit your ears perfectly, or as close to perfect as possible.

HyperX also designed these earbuds with a 90-degree plug. I can’t stress enough how nice this is for something like the Steam Deck. Because you won’t have as much of the plug sticking up from the 3.5mm jack. The Cloud Earbuds II come in two different colors as well, red and black. Additionally, these have a built-in microphone. If you want to use voice chat with a friend while you play, you totally can. What’s more, these earbuds have flat wires that won’t tangle up.

That’s one fact about these that everyone should love. Because it’s always awful to have to try and untangle a pair of earbuds that use round wires. As an added bonus, these can also be used with Nintendo Switch or any other handheld with a 3.5mm audio jack, and they work with mobile devices too.

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Best Budget Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

No one likes to spend hundreds on a gaming headset no matter how good it is. I can tell you right now if I could buy the Maxwell for $50, I would. But that isn’t the world we live in. That being said, not everyone is concerned with having the best-of-the-best sound and the most comfortable gaming headset imaginable. Some gamers just want something decent that won’t compromise too much (if at all) on the sound and comfort but also won’t result in them feeling pain when talking about the price.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is what I would consider the best budget gaming headset out there. So if you’re looking to pick up a gaming headset that’s easy on your wallet, this is it. At a regular retail price of $60, you aren’t going to feel bad about this purchase. Plus, that just leaves more money for Steam Deck games.

I’ve used a few different SteelSeries headsets over the past few years and all of them have forced me to come to the same conclusion. That SteelSeries knows how to make a really good gaming headset. Even the Arctis Nova 1, at well under $100, puts out some good sound and still retains the elements of comfort so you can play games for hours. While it does have some downsides, like its lack of wireless connectivity, that also presents a benefit. You don’t have to charge it because there’s no battery.

That means you can leave it plugged into your PC, console, or other devices and just pick it up and put it on, and it’s automatically working. No muss no fuss. No talking with friends in chat and then having the audio suddenly drop out because the battery died. What’s more, is that it the mic quality is pretty decent too. So your friends shouldn’t have any trouble hearing you. The mic comes with noise cancellation as well. So your voice comes through clearly and it won’t bring all that background noise with it.

And what I really like is that the mic is retractable, while also sitting flush with the left earcup when stowed. This is also a multi-platform headset because it can plug into the 3.5mm audio port on any device that has one. It features 360-degree spatial audio as well, and the cloth earpads are both comfortable and very breathable.

Honestly, at $60 I almost think SteelSeries isn’t charging enough. But it’s good that it set the price low because that makes the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 an extremely good value. This also plugs into the 3.5mm audio jack and not USB-C like the Arctis GameBuds. So you can charge your Steam Deck while you play games with this headset. Instead of having to choose one or the other.

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Best Open Back Gaming Headset: Corsair Virtuoso Pro

Where to start? The Corsair Virtuoso Pro is packed with features that really make this a winner if you’re looking for something open back. In a lot of cases, I personally prefer to have something closed back or something that has active noise cancellation. Because I want to be immersed in my game as much as I possibly can be. And for that to happen, I need to block out all outside noises or block them out as much as possible.

If you’re someone who prefers to let a little sound in, however, then you definitely want the Corsair Virtuoso Pro. As an open back gaming headset, these will allow sound from the surrounding environment to leak in a bit. This can be good if you still want some situational awareness. The Corsair Virtuoso Pro also creates a wider, more natural soundstage because of its open back design. So the audio from your games should sound more natural while still being plenty immersive.

This headset comes with a detachable microphone with a braided cable as well to help with the durability of the cables. The open back design is also intended to take pressure off your ears. That should help make this more comfortable to wear for longer gaming sessions. Another thing we really love about this headset though, is that it uses graphene drivers. These help immensely in delivering amazing clarity of the audio.

It’s one of the main reasons why we love headsets like the Astro A50 Gen 5. Because the graphene drivers help produce sounds with precision. This is huge for games with directional audio that can be a part of the game mechanics. Such as Call of Duty or Rainbow Six Siege. Now I don’t know how much Call of Duty or Rainbow Six Siege you would play on a Steam Deck. But the graphene drivers will be nice to have when you do.

Overall, this is a really solid mid-tier premium option in the wired category. It’s comfortable, has great sound, and it retails for under $200 currently. Which is great.

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Best Ultra Budget Gaming Headset: JBL Quantum 100

This is the no-frills gaming headset option for anybody who is looking for nothing more than a headset that works, sounds decent, and costs next to nothing. The JBL Quantum 100 checks all those boxes and if you’re on a really, really tight budget but still want a gaming headset for playing on the Steam Deck, we’re recommending this one. It normally retails for $39.99 which is exceptionally cheap. It’s even less right now though. Because Amazon has it on sale for $29.99.

The JBL Quantum 100 comes with fairly comfortable leatherette ear pads and a detachable microphone. I have always loved these on gaming headsets because when you don’t need a mic, you can just detach it from the headset and move it out of the way. Like every other headset in this guide, this is multi-platform because it plugs into a 3.5mm audio jack.

Overall, it’s pretty comfortable to wear, and the sound is good. There’s not a whole lot else to it. Keep in mind, it costs $29.99. It’s a basic option that works and works well. And that’s all that should really matter.

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